door stop etymology

Etymology of "Door Stop"

The term "door stop" is a combination of two words:

  • Door: Originates from late Middle English, from Anglo-Norman French dure, from Latin dura, feminine of durus ("hard, firm, tough").
  • Stop: Derived from Old English stopp ("a plug, stopper"), from Proto-Germanic *stuppaz, related to Proto-Indo-European ***steup-**, meaning "to push, strike."

Meaning and Origin of "Door Stop"

A door stop is a device used to prevent a door from opening or closing too far. It is typically a wedge-shaped object that is placed against the bottom of the door when it is in the open position. Door stops have been in use for centuries, with the earliest known examples dating back to ancient Egypt.

The use of door stops became widespread in the 16th century, when they were used to prevent doors from slamming shut in drafty castles and manor houses. Door stops were also used to keep doors open for ventilation or to prevent them from being opened by children or animals.

Today, door stops are still used for the same purposes. They are available in a wide variety of materials, including wood, metal, rubber, and plastic. Some door stops are designed to be purely functional, while others are also decorative.

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